Collings Foundation – Preserving the Past

is a look at this Massachusetts-based organization that for thirty years has been dedicated to presenting history in unique and more meaningful ways through their “living history” events. At their headquarters on the Collings estate in Stow, Massachusetts, the Collings Foundation hosts three major events per year: the “Wings and Wheels Open House,” which allows people the opportunity to tour the car, aircraft, and military vehicles collections; “The Race of the Century,” where the development of transportation is demonstrated through a series of races on the grass airstrip; and “Battle for the Airfield – WWII Reenactment.”

Their premier event, now in its twentieth year, is the “Wings of Freedom Tour,” which brings two vintage World War II heavy bombers – a B-17G Flying Fortress, the last flying B-24J Liberator – along with the world’s only TP-51C Mustang (two-seater, dual-controls) to some 105 communities around the U.S. Visitors at each stop can tour through the bombers and book flights on the aircraft.

Collings Foundation – Preserving the Past provides a brief but comprehensive look at this organization through their events and through the words of Co-Founder Bob Collings and Director of Marketing Hunter Chaney. From the reenacted World War II battle, between the defending German forces and the attacking Allied forces, to the experience of flight on the World War II vintage aircraft, this documentary film shows the excitement of these “living history” events and how they leave more of an impression on the people who see them than there would be just viewing static exhibits of the vehicles in a museum setting. Thanks to the access afforded by the Collings Foundation to filmmaker David Watts, Jr. and his crew, they have been able to film inside these events, bringing a perspective not seen by most visitors.▪

View Video Clips from the documentary:      Trailer            Newsreel

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